Do you operate a business in the Shoalhaven? Are you looking to start a new business? Have you considered IMB Bank for all your business banking needs?
IMB has been a supporter of the Shoalhaven Business Awards for a number of years. This year they are showing their support once again, sponsoring our Excellence in Business Award.
Excellence in Business award recognises a business that has attained significant growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies and processes implemented to achieve sustainable growth over the previous 24 months.
We talk with Terry Widdicombe, IMB Bank, about their sponsorship of the Awards and how IMB displays excellence.
Why does IMB Bank sponsor the Shoalhaven Business Awards?
Awards are an excellent way for any business to measure their progress, performance and success against their peers. The actual process of applying for awards is also a great way for companies to assess their strengths and understand where they may need to improve their operations. Because IMB Bank’s business managers have such close, personal relationships with customers and work as part of their teams, we fully support Awards like these to encourage companies to grow and succeed.
Why are the Awards important for the Shoalhaven?
There are many small to medium businesses in the Shoalhaven area and everyone in this sector works really hard. The Awards are important recognition and reward for all the hard work and an excellent way for businesses to promote themselves to their local audiences.
What does excellence mean to you?
Excellence means continually reviewing your performance internally and externally, measured against your peers and against your growth strategies. Everyone should strive for excellence in everything they do.
How does IMB Bank display excellence?
IMB Bank is in its 136th year of operations. It was established by four Illawarra businessmen to help people own their own homes. IMB Bank has always kept community and our members front and centre of everything it does. Everyone at IMB works very hard every day to make sure that we continue with this philosophy at the core of all our operations. And I believe we achieve that. The Community Foundation, now in its 16th year, has assisted more than 550 projects in the communities in which we operate, donating over $8.1m. I think this also demonstrates our commitment to excellence.
What is different about IMB Bank?
We know our customers personally and we understand their businesses in detail. We are available to help them any time and we are part of their team. It gives all of us great satisfaction to help our customers grow and succeed. We celebrate with them when they achieve their goals and we help them plan their next steps.
On a member-level, it is our staff and our branch network. IMB Bank has both mobile and online banking facilities if that is what our members prefer to use, but many don’t. Some of our members still want to go to our branches and work with our staff; our staff have personal relationships over many years and often we find that entire families for three or four generations have been IMB members with transaction accounts, personal and home loans.
How can your Relationship Managers help businesses achieve their growth strategies?
Because we have such close relationships with our customers, more often than not we help them develop their strategies. We are in there with the rest of their team when they discuss their plans and goals and formulate their strategies so then it is a matter of helping them implement. Our business managers have a broad cross-section of experience in a variety of industries so we can bring an objective view to the table and be a sounding board for business owners.
IMB Bank has over 135 years of banking history in Australia, how does longevity contribute to IMB’s success in business?
Trust. IMB Bank has been trusted to deliver for more than a century and we are not just a financial institution. We have competitive products, full business banking services and technologies such as mobile and online banking facilities that the bigger banks offer but IMB has a reputation for delivering on its promises and being easy to deal with. That is why we continue to be successful.
As a past judge of the Awards, what is the number one tip you can give to businesses entering the Awards this year?
At interview, listen carefully to the questions you are being asked – give the judges the information they need to understand why you think you should win.
Thank you to IMB Bank for sponsoring the Excellence in Business award.
